Tell us a little more about the horse playing the role of “Tornado”

When you read the script and you realize what the horse has to do, it seems like an impossible task, because you’re asking of the horse to bring an intelligence to the screen that’s not something that one can direct. You can’t tell the horse “I want you to look vulnerable here, I want you to look angry here,” .But what happened is we got a horse through, absolutely I believe, a sheer miracle, by the name of Kashmir that is a phenomenal horse. This horse has a personality that has absolutely enchanted everybody on the set, he has crept into the heart of all the actors that have dealt with him. We have a horse handler, that – she’s phenomenal – just in the way that she deals with the animals, but she – I think, she’ll do everything in her power to get this horse to eventually own it. Its probably one of the most wonderful experiences I’ve had with animals on film ever.

Lee Doig – DOP

What was the biggest challenge in making this movie?

The biggest challenge for us when you make small independent films like this is time. And time is money. If you consider that we shot this film in 23 days, I think what we achieved is quite remarkable, and on top of that we’re dealing with an animal as well and you’re bringing an animal into the equation on a movie can very often consume a lot of time trying to get these animals to do the right things at the right times, but we were very fortunate, we had an amazing animal, the horse was just majestic and actually did amazing things for us.

What kind of mood and style do you make use of?

The mood and style of this film, for me, was in two sections. Pierre was in a very dark space in the earlier part of his life before he comes across Tornado, and obviously this film is a little bit like that – it’s a dark space. He tries to take his life on a few occasions; um I tried to bring that mood across.

From the moment he (Pierre) meets tornado he goes on a journey with this horse, and it’s a journey of recovery, and a kind of light at the end of the tunnel so to speak. And what I tried to do is I tried to light this film exactly like that. I tried to take it on this journey and make this progression of light and carry it through the film in a progression.

It was very much a mood movie and the pictures needed to tell that. Uh, you know, a lot of the relationships, there was very little dialogue between the people. I mean, obviously people can’t speak to horses and horses can’t talk back, so for me there was a lot of mystery, and that had to come through in the mood of this film. The pace, the way we shot this film, the way we lit it needed to be moody, needed to be mysterious in a way. And I think we achieved that.

Alana Nel – Horse Handler

What was the most difficult thing with regards to handling Kashmir to horse playing the role of Tornado?

The most difficult thing we had to get him to do was act aggressive or act as though he’s not liking what we doing to him at the moment, or that he’s not willing to be ridden and so on because he’s got such a sweet nature and he’s so patient and he is very willing. That was our hardest task to accomplish.

Quentin Krog – “Pierre”

Tell us about the character “Pierre”

I felt like I had something in common with the character. I think every person could have something in common with Pierre, because, well, I don’t think anyone is totally perfect and whatever your brokenness is, it doesn’t necessarily have to be what Pierre’s brokenness is - but I think people will relate to that. I think that’s what makes the character real in the sense that he’s not perfect, he hasn’t got it all together and he gets angry and frustrated and vents his frustration. And he struggles. He struggles with faith, he struggles with what he believes in and he struggles with general life issues, which is honest, you know, as apposed to the normal hero movies where they’re just the shizzel and everything’s perfect.

What were your most demanding scenes?

Emotionally demanding I would probably have to go with the, sjoe, it’s a tough one, there’s a few. I’d say the one where he’s self destructive and hitting the walls and the mirrors and where he gets confronted by his girlfriend. That’s quite a hectic scene. And then probably the windmill scene with Oom Barrie, when Pierre comes back from leaving Noenieput, after falling off the horse, He gets back and climbs up the windmill and has a chat with Oom Barrie, and near the end , Oom Barrie gives him a sort of hug on the windmill. I was struggling to get sort of emotional there. Reg wanted me to go there and it was hard. It was tough – it was a challenge. You know, when you’ve got all these cameras around you, and lights and microphones and you’re sitting up there and everyone is watching you, it’s tough to sort of go to a place that is sort of , generally quite a private place.

Tell us about the horse playing the role of “Tornado”

Kashmir plays tornado. He’s something else. That’s a sore one to let go of. Cos I actually really did bond with the horse quite a bit. He’s just so majestic. That horse is something else, you know, and he’s got this amazing nature. His personality is something else – that you don’t find in any horse. And the fact that he’s a stallion, that kind of makes it hard to believe that you can actually get so intimate with the horse and so close to him and play with him the way that I have. I got a lot of bites as well to prove the bonding, jis he can bite sore!

Danny Keogh – “Barrie”

How do you feel about the movie and playing the role of “Barrie Burger”?

It’s been a real honor for me to do this movie, uh playing the part of Barrie Burger. When you read the script you get a story, and that is the thing that interests you, and I was very interested in the script. But coming out here and meeting Barrie, just begin to understand that he is a very special man with very special gifts that he’s very generous with. He shares them with everybody, and that has made my life on this movie very easy.

For Barrie , his wife Annette, Pierre, his wife Meretha, the movie does them justice. I’m sure it will. They’re such good people and we’ve all had this amazing opportunity to take hold of their lives and try and bring it to the screen and I hope they’re happy with the result. Its been an honor to be able to attempt to do that

Leán van den Bergh – “Meretha”

Did you find it difficult to play the role of “Meretha”?

I grew up on a plot, so in that sense I’m a little bit rugged and can climb up trees and run around in the dust and drive bakkies, so it wasn’t difficult for me to – I didn’t have to transcend myself into some intricate character in that sense.

What’s it like having your dad as the director?

My Dad! It’s wonderful. I’ve done work with him on crew, but it’s the first time I’ve acted with him and he’s wonderful and it’s wonderful to work with him. He doesn’t give a lot of direction which is difficult sometimes, so I don’t know often what I’m doing. I’m scared, but he makes you feel comfortable and it’s a privilege, it’s wonderful.

Barrie Burger – Horse Whisperer

How do you feel about the movie?

I had a very intense experience out of which a movie was made and that is a wonderful experience for me again. It’s awesome. In fact I don’t think that there’s really a word that can describe ones feelings. Not just because a movie has been made, but I think because of what I have experienced. It is not so easy to make a movie of the broken emotions of a horse, and to take that to the big screen, I think it took a lot and I am overwhelmed by the fact that it became possible.

Pierre van Rooyen

How do you feel about Quentin playing the role of Pierre?

It was a pleasure and actually an honor to be Quentin Krog’s riding double. I think he was a perfect “Pierre” and I want to thank him for that. I think he did a splendid job.

What stands out for you?

Taking Quentin, going to the spots and places where a lot of golden moments happened between Tornado and me, - I enjoyed that a lot.

Quotes from the movie

“That’s what men do. They speak deep without words. Just like horses” - Barrie

“What is it with you and deserts Lord?” - Pierre

“It’s difficult to accept the fact that I’m always going to fail. That I’m always going to be diseased. That no matter what I do I will always stay broken.” - Pierre

“Brokenness is the one thing that we always run away from. But it takes pain to heal the pain” - Barrie

“Barrie! Go help the child!” - Annette

“You know Pierre, I think that you wanting to help this horse is a very noble thing, but if you’re expecting something in return you’re wasting your time, you’re wasting my time, and most importantly you’re wasting Tornado’s time” - Barrie

“Breathe for him, quietly, just breathe. He want your warmth, your scent.”

“Just let it be. You see, Tornado doesn’t need you all shiny and whole and perfect, he just needs you. And that in itself is enough” - Barrie

“So you’re broken in a few places. Who isn’t?” - Meretha

“Well, I thought that a horse’s purpose was just to be a horse” - Barrie

“If you’re with me, that’s where I want to be.” - Annette

“Walk your horse in the dark!. What mumbo jumbo rubbish is that? And on the one night, the one night, the only girl in a five hundred mile radius comes to town for dinner. Jerk. Horse whisperer my butt!” - Pierre